AT 9.49 on the night of the 19th of September, 1954, the honorary secre- tary of the Exmouth station, Mr.

P. H. C. Butler, was told by the coast- guard that a flashing light had been seen near the Maer Rocks at the approach to the estuary of the river Exe, and that shouts for help had been heard. Mr. Butler and Coxswain Harold Bradford went at once by car to the point on the shore nearest to the rocks. From there, by the light of the car's headlamps, they saw a cabin cruiser at anchor.

A moderate breeze was blowing from the south-south-west, and a con- siderable swell was breaking heavily on the rocks. The night was dark with heavy rain squalls, and it was two hours before high water.

Baling and Shouting for Help The cabin cruiser, which was the Nicky of Stareross, had her anchor down in the channel, but she was some fifty yards inside the rock ledge on which she was pounding. Her crew of five were baling and pumping and shouting for help.

Mr. Butler and Coxswain Bradford realised that the state of the tide would not allow the life-boat to approach the Nicky from the seaward side. Because of the swell there was very little water over the rocks and the cabin cruiser was striking against the rocks frequently.

The life-saving apparatus team was summoned and fired lines from the shore, but the lines failed to reach the Nicky. While this was being done the coxswain went out in the pilot boat which was afloat. He towed a rowing boat which he hoped to be able to veer down on the cruiser.

The wind had increased and condi- tions in the channel had grown worse, and it was impossible to board the boat from the Maer Rocks. Coxswain Bradford decided that the only chance of rescuing those on board the Nicky was to go in with the life-boat at high water.

Three Times Alongside At 11.57 the life-boat Maria Noble was launched. She made for the casualty which she approached from the eastward, as there was more water on that side. The coxswain manoeuvred the life-boat towards the Nicky, keeping the wind and sea on the port bow. He used the last of the flood to help the life-boat to drift almost broadside towards the cabin cruiser.

The Nicky was rolling and pitching violently, and her crew who were still baling her could not jump together.

Coxswain Bradford had to edge the life-boat three times alongside the Nicky and then sheer off to avoid damage.

The life-boat struck the rocks heavily three times, but by the third attempt the crew of the Nicky had been taken off.

Coxswain Bradford then took the life-boat cautiously ahead. After striking the bottom twice more she reached the deep water channel. Half an hour later the Nicky sank.

The life-boat landed the survivors at Exmouth at 12.23 early on the 20th of September.

For the courage and determination which he showed under difficult con- ditions the Institution awarded the bronze medal to Coxswain Harold Bradford. Additional rewards of £l were made to each of the seven members of the crew. Total rewards amounted to £20..